Metropolitan Epifaniy's name mentioned for the first time in Thessaloniki at the Liturgy served by Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Hieronymos of Greece

On Saturday, October 19, the name of Metropolitan Epifaniy was mentioned for the first time during the Great entrance at the Liturgy in Thessaloniki, where Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and all of Greece celebrated together.

The adding of the name of Primate Epifaniy in the diptych by the Greek Church means that the Greek Church has officially entered into canonical communion with the OCU, reports orthodoxia.info. 

In his speech, Patriarch Bartholomew thanked Archbishop Hieronymos for having included the name of Metropolitan Epifaniy in the diptych and said that the Primate of the OCU would visit Thessaloniki.

After the recognition of the Orthodox Church by the Greek Church, the clergy of both Churches can serve during Liturgies, hold meetings and visit the churches of both churches.

As reported, at an extraordinary meeting on October 12, the Council of the Greek Orthodox Church recognized the autocephaly of the OCU. The decision was made under the chairmanship of the head of the Council and the Primate of the Church of Greece, His Beatitude Archbishop Hieronymos. We can say that this is a historic decision for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine. One of the largest Orthodox Churches in the world has confirmed the legitimacy of granting autocephaly to the OCU.

The decision of the Council to recognize the autocephaly of the OCU was particularly important. because the ROC and the UOC-MP had exerted a great pressure. The Synod of the ROC held on October 17 decided not to remember the Head of the Church of Greece, Archbishop Hieronymus, in the case of communion and his mention at the Liturgies of the Primate of the OCU, Metropolitan Epifaniy.

In total, there are 15 local Orthodox Churches in the world and their primates are commemorated in a clear sequence - the Diptych.